Liquid deoxidizer



WITNESSESZ K ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 19`26.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

` LELAND n. HILL, OIF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO 'WESTINGHUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION F PENNSYLVANIA.

s, :LIQUID Dnoxrnrzna.

Application led September 10, 1924. Serial No. 736,841.

My invention. relates in general to electrical devices having means for deoxidiz'ing the air drawn into such devices and particularly to a liquid deoxidizing seal'therefor.

()ne object of my invention isto provide` a breathing regulator for electrical devices that shall act both as a liquid seal and as a deoxidizing agent.

Another objeqt of my invention is to pro vide an electrical device having an inert atmosphere confined above the level -of an insulating fluid with -a liquid seal that also acts as a deoxidizing agent for air drawn into the translating device.

In electrical translating devices, such as circuit interrupters and transformers, in 'which the electrical parts are immersed in an insulating oil, explosions have resulted from the ignition of mixtures of-hydrocarbon gases and air in the space above the oil level. In certain constructions, solid deo'xidizing agents are placed in the path ofair drawn into such devices for the purpose of deoxidizing such air. In such constructions, a breathing regulator is also used to control the admission of air in accordance with the pressure inside the translating dev1ce.

By means of the present invention, I proi posei to combine the functions of the breathing regulator and the deoxidizing agent into a single, unit by employing a liquid having an affinity for oxygen, such as alkali pyrogallol, as the seal for the breathing regulator. I

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of an electrical translating device embodying my invention.

My invention comprises, in general, an air-tight tank 1 in which an electrical trans,- iating device 2, such as a transformer, is immersed in insulating fluid 3, such as oil. Above the oil is trapped an atmosphere 4 of inert gas that, in turn, communicates with the outside atmosphere through a liquid seal 5 that also serves as the deoxidizing agent. The liquid sea-l 5 is a U-tube 6 attached at one end t0 the cover member v7 of the elec` trical device and communicates with the inert gas 4. The other 'end of the seal 5 is open to the atmosphere. A quantlty of `not transmitting gases.

\ various modifications liquid 8 having an aflinity for oxygen, such as alkali pyrogallokvis placed inthe loop'of the seal. A small quantity of liquid 9, such as oil, is placed over the deoxidizing liquid adjacent to the open end of thel seal in order to keep the air from reacting upon the alkali pyrogallol when the liquid seal is A dehydrating agent 1l may be placed between the container and the deoxldizing agent, if desired.-

` By reason of the changes in temperature of the transformer 2, the level of the insulating Huid 3 rises and falls, thereby alternately creating pressure and a partial vacuum of the inert gas 4. When the pressure inside the tank reaches predetermined maximum and minimum values, this action is accompanied by corresponding outbreathing of gas or inbreathing of air through the liquid seal 5. During outbreathing,

the gas bubbles through the deoxidizing liquid 8 and escapes to air without any chemical action takingplaceb v During the process of inbreathing, air

is drawn'through the oil 9 and deoxldizing. liquid 8 in the direction of the arrows shown 'in the drawing. The air bubbling through the alkali pyrogallol, delivers up its oxygen content and accordingly, enters the vtranslating device 1 as an inert and harmless gas, being chieiy` nitrogen. content of the air that is absorbed in the liquid seal, serves to slightly discolor the alkali pyroga-llol but does not form 'a sludge. such as would interfere with the passage of' gas through the liquid seal. When the deoxidizing luid becomes suiiciently dis.

colored it may be readily replaced with a new supply at a' low cos By means of mv invention, ,I have provided 'a combined breathing re -lator-and deoxidizing agent for containers y employing a liquid having an affinity fonoxygenas the sealing. element. y

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific arrangement of parts herein set forth, as .thereof may be made Withoutv departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. For example, I may substitute for the U-tube, thefrelief valve shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 608,791, tiled December 23, 1922,

The oxygen seV (CaseNo. 10323). I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In combination, an electrical translating device partially filled with a gas and means comprising a liquid seal having an affinity for oxygen for'perniitting a transfer of gas 'between the interior of the translating device and the atmosphere.

2. In combination, an electrical translating device partially filled With a gas and means comprising a seal of alkali pyrogallol for permitting a transfer of gas between the interior of the translating devicel and the atmosphere.

3. In combination, an electrical translating device partially filled With a gas and means comprisingr a liquid seal having an interior of the translating device and the atmosphere, and a second liquid normally interposed between the pyrogallol and the air.

5. In combination, an electrical translating device partially filled With a gas and means comprising a liquid seal capable of excluding oxygen for controlling communication between the interior of the translating device andthe atmosphere.

`6. In combination, an electrical translating device partially filled with a gas and means comprising a liquid seal capable of forming stable compounds with oxygen for permitting a transfer of gas between the interior of the translating device and the atmosphere.

7. In combination, an electrical translating device partially filled with a gas and means comprising a liquid seal capable of extracting Voxygen to f'orm a non-gaseous compound with said oxygen for permitting a transfer of gas between the interior of the translating device and the atmosphere.`

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 4th day of September 1924.

LELAND H. HILL. 

